Snap-on dust cap for fiber optic connector

ABSTRACT

A dust cap includes a cap body and a pair of opposing latches. The cap body is adapted to cover a connectorized end of a fiber optic connector and cable assembly when the connectorized end is inserted through an opening of an interior of the cap body. The cap body further includes an opposing pair of resilient walls. The pair of opposing latches each include latching features that extend outside of the interior of the cap body. The pair of opposing latches each further include a mounting portion mounted to a respective one of the opposing pair of resilient walls. The dust cap may further include a pulling interface. The pulling interface may be adapted to attach to a pulling member and may be positioned at a tapered nose of the cap body. The dust cap may thereby be a cable pulling cap and may pull a fiber optic connector and cable assembly through conduits and other narrow passages. A pair of opposing pulling halves may enclose the cable pulling cap or the dust cap without a pulling interface and at least a portion of the connectorized end of the fiber optic connector and cable assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/US2017/067718,filed on Dec. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/437,510, filed on Dec. 21, 2016, the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Tothe extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the abovedisclosed applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic data transmission and moreparticularly to fiber optic cables and fiber optic cable connectionsystems and the installation thereof.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, optical fiber services arebeing extended in more and more areas. In order for a residence orbusiness to access these optical fiber services, fiber optic cables mustbe installed in these residences and businesses. In some cases, thefiber optic cables are installed in existing structures. In other cases,these fiber optic cables are installed in new constructions.

To facilitate installation and connection to various telecommunicationsequipment, the fiber optic cables are often connectorized. Inparticular, one or both ends of the fiber optic cable may include afiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector may connect to varioustelecommunications equipment, including other fiber optic cables. Thefiber optic connector may support and position ends of optical fibers(e.g., within a ferule of the fiber optic connector). The ends of theoptical fibers may abut ends of other optical fibers and thereby form anoptical connection from fiber to fiber.

Prior to connection (e.g., during installation) and during periods ofdisconnection (e.g., during maintenance, reconfiguration, etc.), theends of the optical fibers may be exposed. Exposure of the ends of theoptical fibers is undesired as they may be subjected to contaminationand/or damage. Caps (e.g., dust caps) may be fitted over the ends of theoptical fibers by placing the caps over the end of the fiber opticconnector. The ends of the optical fibers and/or the end of the fiberoptic connector may thereby be protected from contamination and/ordamage.

During installation and/or reconfiguration, the fiber optic cables maybe routed through enclosed spaces, such as between support structuresdisposed inside walls. In order to get the fiber optic cables throughthese enclosed spaces, cable pullers can be used. The cable pullers mayprotect the ends of the optical fibers and/or the end of the fiber opticconnector. However, cable pullers are not always preferred since thesize of the cable pullers can prevent the cable from being pulledthrough small enclosed spaces. In certain installations, the fiber opticcables are pulled through conduits. A cross-dimension of the inside ofthe conduit may limit large cable pullers from being used to route thefiber optic cable through the conduit. In particular, certain cablepullers may be larger than the inside cross-dimension of the conduit andthereby be precluded from pulling fiber optic cables through theconduit.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cable assembly. Thecable assembly includes a cap that is adapted for enclosing an end of afiber optic cable. The cap includes a cavity that is adapted to receivea portion of the end of the fiber optic cable. The end of the fiberoptic cable is connectorized and thereby includes a fiber opticconnector at the end of the fiber optic cable. The cap includes aprotective wall at a first end of the cap and latching structures at asecond end of the cap. The latching structures are adapted to engage acatch of the fiber optic connector. A cross-sectional profile of the capor at least a cross-dimension of the cap is at or close to a same sizeas a cross-sectional profile or at least a cross-dimension of the fiberoptic connector. The cap thereby does not substantially limit the end ofthe fiber optic cable from fitting in tight spaces when the cap isapplied. The cap includes flexible walls upon which the latch or latchesare mounted. The flexible walls provide a resilient mount to the latchesand thereby allow the latches to resiliently attach to catches of thefiber optic connector. Upon attachment of the latch or latches to thecatch or catches of the fiber optic connector, a sleeve of the fiberoptic connector may be slid over latch tabs of the latches therebycapturing the latch tabs in a pocket formed between the sleeve and aconnector body of the fiber optic connector. The sleeve may include aface upon which a face of the cap seals against and thereby prevents anend of the fiber optic connector from being contaminated by dust. Theprotective wall at the first end of the cap may prevent damage to endsof the optical fibers and/or the end of the fiber optic connector bycontact with foreign objects.

In certain embodiments, the cap includes a pulling interface (e.g., apulling eye) at the first end of the cap and the latching structures atthe second end of the cap. A pulling member (e.g., a cord, a tensionmember, etc.) may be looped through the pulling interface and therebytransfer a tensile load within the pulling member to the pullinginterface. The cap may transfer the tensile load applied at the pullinginterface to the latches, and the latches may further transfer thetensile load to the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable. Thecross-sectional profile of the cap or at least the cross-dimension ofthe cap may be at or close to the same size as the cross-sectionalprofile or at least the cross-dimension of the fiber optic connector.The cap thereby does not substantially limit the fiber optic cable frombeing pulled through small conduits, openings, and/or small spaces, etc.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a split pullingassembly, including two halves, that is adapted for positioning around afiber optic connector and cable assembly with a pulling cap latched toan end of the fiber optic connector. The split pulling assembly includesa pulling eye or a pulling interface at a first end and a cable pullinginterface at a second end. A pulling member may be installed through thepulling eye of the split pulling assembly and thereby apply a tensileload from within the pulling member to the split pulling assembly. Thesplit pulling assembly may transfer the tensile load to the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly at the pulling interface at the second endof the split pulling assembly. The split pulling assembly may transferthe tensile load of the pulling member to a cable anchor memberinstalled at the second end of a connector body of the fiber opticconnector. The split pulling assembly may thereby transfer the tensileload of the pulling member by bearing on the cable anchor of the fiberoptic connector. As the split pulling assembly is positioned around thefiber optic connector and cable assembly and the pulling cap installedthereon, the pulling assembly has a cross-sectional profile or at leasta cross-dimension that is larger than the fiber optic connector. Thesplit pulling assembly may thereby be used to pull the fiber optic cablethrough a larger conduit with the pulling cap installed inside the splitpulling assembly. Upon the conduit getting smaller or upon routing thefiber optic cable through a smaller conduit, the split pulling assemblymay be removed and the same pulling member or another pulling member maybe looped through a pulling eye of the pulling cap. The pulling cap mayhave a cross-sectional profile or at least a cross-dimension that issimilar to or the same as a cross-sectional profile or at least across-dimension of the fiber optic connector. The pulling cap maythereby be used to complete or continue routing of the fiber optic cablethrough a smaller conduit. The smaller conduit may include a passage toosmall for the split pulling assembly to fit through.

The process of the preceding paragraph may be reversed. For example, thepulling cap may be secured to a pulling member and the fiber optic cablemay be routed through a small conduit. Upon reaching a larger portion ofthe conduit or a larger conduit, the split pulling assembly may beinstalled over the fiber optic cable and connector with the pulling capinstalled on an end thereof. The fiber optic cable may be further routedthrough the larger conduit by pulling on a pulling eye of the splitpulling assembly.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dust cap having exemplary features ofaspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1, ascalled out at FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an opposite end view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cut-away side view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a prior art dust cap installed on aprior art fiber optic connector and cable assembly;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on portionsof a prior art fiber optic connector of the prior art fiber opticconnector and cable assembly of FIG. 9, in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on theportions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installedon the portions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on theportions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on theportions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1installed on the portions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a prior art connector body and a priorart release sleeve of the prior art fiber optic connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the prior art connector body andthe prior art release sleeve of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is still another perspective view of the prior art connectorbody and the prior art release sleeve of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a half of a prior art split pulling eyeassembly;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of the half of the prior artsplit pulling eye assembly of FIG. 19, as called out at FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an opposite side view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is an opposite plan view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional end view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19, as called out at FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is an opposite end view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the half of the prior art split pullingeye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 27 is another perspective view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 28 is still another perspective view of the half of the prior artsplit pulling eye assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the half of the prior art split pulling eyeassembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional end view of the half of the prior art splitpulling eye assembly of FIG. 19, as called out at FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a prior art dust cap;

FIG. 32 is another perspective view of the prior art dust cap of FIG.31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the prior art dust cap and the priorart fiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 9 with a pair ofthe prior art split pulling eye assembly halves of FIG. 19 installedthereon;

FIG. 34 is the perspective view of FIG. 33, but exploded;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on theprior art fiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 9 with thepair of the prior art split pulling eye assembly halves of FIG. 33installed thereon;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the prior art dust cap of FIG. 31;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the prior art dust cap of FIG. 31installed on the prior art fiber optic connector and cable assembly ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 installed on theprior art fiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 9 with apulling member looped through a pulling eye of the dust cap of FIG. 1and with the pulling member routed through a conduit.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the prior art dust cap and the priorart fiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 37 installed in theprior art split pulling eye assembly half of FIG. 19;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the dust cap and the prior art fiberoptic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 39 installed in the prior artsplit pulling eye assembly half of FIG. 19, according to the principlesof the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the dust cap and a portion of the priorart fiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 39 installed in theprior art pair of the split pulling eye assembly halves of FIG. 33,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 43 is the perspective view of FIG. 42, but exploded and reduced inscale;

FIG. 44 is a plan view of the dust cap and the portion of the prior artfiber optic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 42 installed in theprior art pair of the split pulling eye assembly halves of FIG. 33;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the dust cap and theportion of the prior art fiber optic connector and cable assembly ofFIG. 42 installed in the prior art pair of the split pulling eyeassembly halves of FIG. 33, as called out at FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a side view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 partially installed onportions of the prior art fiber optic connector of the prior art fiberoptic connector and cable assembly of FIG. 9, in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1partially installed on the portions of the fiber optic connector of FIG.46, as called out at FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a side view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 fully installed on theportions of the prior art fiber optic connector of FIG. 46, inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional plan view of the dust cap of FIG. 1 fullyinstalled on the portions of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 46, ascalled out at FIG. 48.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure concerns dust caps and corresponding fiber opticconnector and cable assemblies. The present disclosure further concernscable pulling caps and corresponding fiber optic connector and cableassemblies. The same cap may serve as both a dust cap and a pulling cap.The dust cap/pulling cap can cover a distal end of the correspondingfiber optic connector and cable assembly.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, these same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, a dust cap 100, according to the principlesof the present disclosure, is illustrated. As mentioned above, incertain embodiments, the dust cap 100 may further serve as a cablepulling cap. In certain embodiments, pulling features may be included onthe dust cap 100 rendering the cable pulling cap with cable pullingfunctionality. The dust cap 100 may also be labeled a cable pulling dustcap, a snap-on pulling eye, a dust cap with pulling eye, a snap-on dustcap with pulling eye, an MPO connector dust cap, an MPO connectorpulling cap, a cap, a pulling eye, etc.

The dust cap 100 extends between a first end 102 and a second end 104.The first end 102 may be a front end, a distal end, etc. The dust cap100 extends between opposite first and second sides 106. The dust cap100 may further extend between opposite third and fourth sides 108. Asillustrated at FIGS. 5 and 7, the dust cap 100 may define a longitudinalaxis A1. As depicted, the dust cap 100 may include or may substantiallyinclude double symmetry about the longitudinal axis A1. The doublesymmetry about the axis A1 allows the dust cap 100 to be installed intwo orientations positioned 180° rotated about the axis A1 from eachother.

The opposite first and second sides 106 may be revolved about thelongitudinal axis A1 or may have portions that are revolved about thelongitudinal axis A1. The pair of opposite sides 106 may intersect withthe pair of opposite sides 108 at four corners, respectively. The fourcorners may generally extend along a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis A1. However, in certain embodiments, the dust cap 100includes a draft angle (e.g., 0.5°) for injection molding purposesand/or for other purposes that may angle the four corners of the dustcap 100 inwardly toward the longitudinal axis A1 as the four cornersextend in a direction from the second end 104 to the first end 102.

An interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100 may be bounded by the pairof opposite sides 106 and the pair of opposite sides 108. A nose 114 mayjoin the pair of opposite sides 106 and the pair of opposite sides 108together at the first end 102 of the pulling cap 100. The nose 114 mayfurther bound the interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100. The nose 114may include a nose tip 115 at the first end 102 of the dust cap 100. Asillustrated at FIG. 3, an angle α may define the nose 114 as it extendsfrom the nose tip 115 to each of the opposite first and second sides106. The angle α may be 50° or about 50° in the depicted embodiment. Inother embodiments, the angle α may be 50°±5°. In still otherembodiments, the angle α may have other values. As illustrated at FIG.8, an angle β may define the nose 114 as the nose 114 extends from thenose tip 115 to the opposite third and fourth sides 108. The angle β maybe 62° or about 62° in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments,the angle β may be 62°±5°. In still other embodiments, the angle β mayhave other values.

A pulling interface 118 may be defined on the nose 114 of the dust cap100. The pulling interface 118 may include a hole, a hook, a pullingeye, a through passage, etc. adapted to engage a pulling member 1010(see FIG. 39). As depicted, the pulling member 1010 is a pulling cordlooped around the pulling interface 118. In other embodiments, thepulling member 1010 may include other suitable structure to transmit atensile load to the pulling interface 118. As depicted, the pullinginterface 118 is defined by a hole extending along a transverse axis A3.As depicted, the transverse axis A3 is perpendicular to the axis A1. Thetransverse axis A3 is illustrated at FIGS. 3, 5, and 7. As illustratedat FIG. 5, the pulling interface 118 is an extruded elliptical shapewith a dimension L7 extending along the longitudinal axis A1 and adimension L8 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1 andperpendicular to the transverse axis A3. As depicted, the dimension L7is greater than the dimension L8 by a factor of 150% or more. Thedimension L7 may be 3 millimeters or about 3 millimeters in the depictedembodiment. In other embodiments, the dimension L7 may be 3±1millimeters. In still other embodiments, the dimension L7 may have othervalues. As depicted at FIG. 7, a lateral axis A2 may be defined that isalso perpendicular to the axis A1 and perpendicular to the axis A3. Thelateral axis A2 is thereby parallel to the dimension L8. The dimensionL8 may be 2 millimeters or about 2 millimeters in the depictedembodiment. In other embodiments, the dimension L8 may be 2±1millimeters. In still other embodiments, the dimension L8 may have othervalues.

As illustrated at FIG. 8, the pulling interface 118 extends through thenose 114 of the dust cap 100. In particular, the pulling interface 118extends through surfaces defined by the angular dimension β. The anglesα and β are measured from a plane normal to the axis A1. As illustratedat FIG. 3, the pulling interface 118 defines a passage 130 that extendsalong the axis A3. The passage 130 extends between a first side 132 anda second side 134. The first side 132 may be a bearing side that engagesthe pulling member 1010, and the second side 134 may be a clearanceside. The passage 130 may further extend between opposite third andfourth sides 136. As the passage 130 extends through the nose 114, radii138 may be defined to transition the passage 130 to the surfaces definedby the angle β. The radii 138 may be a pair of opposing radii 138 onopposite ends of the passage 130. The nose 114 may define a bridge 140that crosses the passage 130, as illustrated at FIG. 3. The bridge 140may include a span 142 that includes the nose tip 115. The bridge 140may further include opposite abutments 144 that join the span 142 to theopposite first and second sides 106. The geometry of the passage 130,including the radii 138, may engage the pulling member 1010 withoutsharp corners that may cut into and/or crease the pulling member 1010.

The dust cap 100 may include a cap body 120. The cap body 120 mayinclude an end wall 122 that generally corresponds to the nose 114 ofthe dust cap 100. The cap body 120 may further include opposite firstand second walls 126 that generally correspond to the opposite first andsecond sides 106. The opposite first and second walls 126 may berevolved about the longitudinal axis A1. The cap body 120 may furtherinclude opposite third and fourth walls 128 that generally correspond tothe opposite third and fourth sides 108. As illustrated at FIG. 5, theend wall 122, the opposite walls 126, and the opposite walls 128 may bedefined by a wall thickness Wt. The dimension Wt may be 0.82 millimetersor about 0.82 millimeters in the depicted embodiment. In otherembodiments, the dimension Wt may be 0.82±0.4 millimeters. In stillother embodiments, the dimension Wt may have other values. The wallthickness Wt may be substantially uniform among one or more of the walls122, 126, 128. The walls 122, 126, 128 may mutually intersect and joineach other and thereby form the interior portion 110 of the dust cap100.

The opposite first and second walls 126 and the opposite third andfourth walls 128 may terminate at a face 116 adjacent the second end 104of the dust cap 100. The face 116 may be a sealing face 116. The sealingface 116 may be suitable to keep dust out of the interior portion 110(i.e., the cavity) of the dust cap 100. The sealing face 116 may notnecessarily be water tight.

An opening 124 may be defined at the ends of the walls 126 and 128. Theopening 124 may thereby be an opening through the sealing face 116. Theinterior portion 110 may be accessible through the opening 124. Thewalls 122, 126, 128 may each include a first side adjacent to theinterior portion 110 of the dust cap 100 and may further each include asecond side collectively adjacent to an exterior portion 112 of the dustcap 100.

A dimension L1 may extend from the face 116 to the nose tip 115 of thedust cap 100, as illustrated at FIG. 3. The dimension L1 may be 16millimeters or about 16 millimeters in the depicted embodiment. In otherembodiments, the dimension L1 may be 16±3 millimeters. In still otherembodiments, the dimension L1 may have other values. As illustrated atFIG. 7, a dimension L9 is defined across the opposite third and fourthwalls 128 at the exterior portion 112 of the dust cap 100. The dimensionL9 may be 8.382 millimeters or about 8.382 millimeters in the depictedembodiment. In other embodiments, the dimension L9 may be 8.382±1.5millimeters. In still other embodiments, the dimension L9 may have othervalues. As further defined at FIG. 7, a diameter dimension Ø1 may bedefined across the opposite first and second walls 126. The diameterdimension Ø1 may be 13 millimeters or less in the depicted embodiment.In other embodiments, the diameter dimension Ø1 may be 13±2 millimeters.In still other embodiments, the diameter dimension Ø1 may have othervalues. As depicted, the diameter dimension Ø1 is defined at theexterior portion 112 of the dust cap 100. In the embodiment illustratedat FIG. 7, the diameter dimension Ø1 may define an encompassing diameterØ1 of the dust cap 100. The encompassing diameter Ø1 may define a sizeof conduit that the dust cap 100 may pass through if an internaldiameter Ø2 of the conduit 1000 (see FIG. 39) is equal to or larger thanthe encompassing diameter Ø1 of the dust cap 100.

As further illustrated at FIG. 7, pulling grips 230 may be defined oneach of the opposite third and fourth walls 128 on the exterior portion112 of the dust cap 100. The pulling grips 230 may extend beyond thedimension L9. In particular, the pair of pulling grips 230 extends amaximum dimension L10 from each other. The dimension L10 may be 9.955millimeters or about 9.955 millimeters in the depicted embodiment. Inother embodiments, the dimension L10 may be 9.955±1.5 millimeters. Instill other embodiments, the dimension L10 may have other values. Theencompassing diameter Ø1 may further encompass the pulling grips 230.The pair of pulling grips 230 does not necessarily limit the smallnessof the conduit 1000 or other structure that the dust cap 100 may bepulled through.

As illustrated at FIG. 5, the dust cap 100 further includes a pair ofopposing latches 150. The opposing latches 150 each extend between afirst end 152 and a second end 154. The first end 152 is within theinterior portion 110 of the dust cap 100, and the second end 154 extendsbeyond the face 116 and thereby extends beyond the interior portion 110of the dust cap 100. As depicted, the second end 154 is a free end. Asfurther depicted, each of the opposing latches 150 includes a flexiblymounted portion 156 that extends between the first end 152 and the face116. The flexibly mounted portion 156 thereby extends between the firstend 152 and an end 158 of the flexibly mounted portion. As illustratedat FIG. 5, the first end 152 is not intended to depict a preciselylocated end 152 of the opposing latches 150. Depending on the materialused for the dust cap 100 and various geometry of the dust cap 100, thefirst end 152 of the opposing latches 150 may effectively vary along thelength L1 from the nose 114 to other positions along the length L1 whichgive the opposing latches 150 suitable flexibility, as will be furtherdescribed hereinafter.

The opposing latches 150 may flex along a lateral direction D2, asillustrated at FIG. 5. The second ends 154 of the opposing latches 150may thereby resiliently flex away from each other when engaging theopposing latches 150 to corresponding catches, described hereinafter. Toprovide the opposing latches 150 with resilient flexibility, theopposing latches 150 may each be joined to, or formed within, theopposite first and second walls 126 between the first end 152 and theend 158. The opposing first and second walls 126 are made of a resilientmaterial thereby accommodating resilient mounting of the opposinglatches 150 at the flexibly mounted portion 156.

As illustrated at FIGS. 5 and 7, a direction D5 is defined parallel tothe lateral direction D2 upon which the second ends 154 of the opposinglatches 150 may move when spreading apart from each other to engage thecorresponding catch. The opposing walls 126 are adapted to deform in therespective outward directions D5. Upon loads associated with thelatching function being removed from the dust cap 100, the second ends154 of the opposing latches 150 may return to their original positions.

In certain embodiments, the opposite first and second walls 126 mayprovide all or substantially all of the flexibility to allow the secondend 154 of the opposing latches 150 to move in the directions D5. Inother embodiments, the opposite third and fourth walls 128 may also beflexible and thereby contribute to the resilient mounting of theopposing latches 150. In particular, as illustrated at FIG. 7, byflexing the opposing latches 150 in the outward directions D5, theopposing first and second walls 126 may deform in the outward directionsD5, and the opposite third and fourth walls 128 may deform in inwarddirections D6. The deformations of the opposing first and second walls126 in the outward directions D5 may vary according to various positionson the opposite first and second walls 126. For example, portions of theopposite first and second walls 126 adjacent the face 116 may deform inthe outward directions D5 at a greater magnitude than portions of theopposite first and second walls 126 adjacent the end wall 122. Likewise,deformation of the opposite third and fourth walls 128 in the directionsD6 may vary at various positions of the opposite third and fourth walls128. For example, portions of the opposite third and fourth walls 128adjacent the face 116 may deform at a larger magnitude than portions ofthe opposite third and fourth walls 128 adjacent the end wall 122.

In certain embodiments, the end wall 122 may also deform in various waysand thereby contribute to the resilient mounting of the opposing latches150. The above description of the walls 122, 126, 128 deforming areprovided as examples. Other embodiments of the dust cap 100 may includeother deformation directions upon which one or more of the walls 122,126, 128 deform.

As illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 7, a C-structure 160 (e.g., a C-shapestructure) may be defined along the flexibly mounted portion 156 of theopposing latches 150. The C-structure 160 extends between a first end162 and a second end 164, as illustrated at FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. TheC-structure 160 includes a channel 166 that extends between the firstend 162 and the second end 164. As illustrated at FIG. 5, the channel166 may include a first portion 166A, a second portion 166B, and a thirdportion 166C. The channel 166 may further include transitions 168. Inparticular, the channel 166 may include a transition 168AB between thefirst portion 166A and the second portion 166B. Likewise, thetransitions 168 may include a transition 168BC between the secondportion 166B of the channel 166 and the third portion 166C. The firstportion 166A of the channel 166 may be adjacent the face 116. The thirdportion 166C of the channel 166 may be adjacent the nose 114 of the dustcap 100. The second portion 166B of the channel 166 may extend betweenthe first portion 166A of the channel 166 and the third portion 166C ofthe channel 166.

As illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 7, the channel 166 defines an interior ofthe C-structure 160. The C-structure 160 thereby defines a pair offlanges separated and joined by a web. As illustrated at FIG. 7, theflanges of the C-structure 160 may join outer portions of the oppositefirst and second walls 126 substantially normal to the outer portions ofthe opposite first and second walls 126. The web of the C-structure 160,in turn, joins the flanges of the C-structure 160. The web of theC-structure 160 may be revolved about the longitudinal axis A1.

The C-structure 160 may provide the flexibly mounted portion 156 of theopposing latches 150 with an increased stiffness in comparison toremaining portions of the opposite first and second walls 126. Asillustrated at FIG. 5, the C-structure 160 may also include the same orsimilar wall thickness Wt as other portions of the walls 122, 126, 128.By arranging the flexibly mounted portion 156 in the C-structure 160,the flexibility and internal load distribution of the opposing latches150 to the opposing first and second walls 126 can be defined.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, additional details and features of thepair of opposing latches 150 will be described in detail. As illustratedat FIG. 6, a portion of the opposing latches 150 extends beyond the face116 and beyond the interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100 by adistance L2. The dimension L2 may be 1.65 millimeters or about 1.65millimeters in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments, thedimension L2 may be 1.65±0.5 millimeters. In still other embodiments,the dimension L2 may have other values. The dimension L2 extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis A1. In particular, latch tab 180 mayat least partially be located along the length L2, beyond the interiorportion 110. As illustrated at FIG. 5, the two portions of therespective two opposing latches 150 that extend beyond the face 116 arelocated a distance away from each other, defined by a dimension L11,that extends along the lateral direction D2. The dimension L11 may be10.65 millimeters or about 10.65 millimeters in the depicted embodiment.In other embodiments, the dimension L11 may be 10.65±2 millimeters. Instill other embodiments, the dimension L11 may have other values. Inparticular, the dimension L11 locates an opposing pair of outer sides182 of the portions of the opposing latches 150 that extend beyond theface 116. The outer sides 182 may be revolved about the longitudinalaxis A1.

As illustrated at FIG. 6, the outer sides 182 may define an angle γ fromthe face 116 and thereby extend slightly inwardly toward thelongitudinal axis A1 as the outer sides 182 extend away from the face116. The angle γ may be 92° or about 92° in the depicted embodiment. Inother embodiments, the angle γ may be 92°±5°. In still otherembodiments, the angle γ may have other values. As the outer sides 182approach the limit of the dimension L2, the outer sides 182 blend into aradius tip 184. As depicted, the radius tip 184 includes the second end104 of the dust cap 100. Upon the radius tip 184 reaching the second end104, the radius tip 184 turns back toward the face 116. The radius tip184 may be revolved about the longitudinal axis A1 and thereby define apartial toroidal shape. The radius tip 184 may tangentially blend intothe outer side 182 and also tangentially blend with a ramp 186 thatextends inwardly toward the longitudinal axis A1 and toward the face 116as the ramp 186 extends away from the radius tip 184. The ramp 186 maybe revolved about the longitudinal axis A1. As the ramp 186 continuestoward the face 116, the ramp 186 tangentially blends with a radiusedportion 188. The radiused portion 188 may be revolved about thelongitudinal axis A1. As the radiused portion 188 extends toward theface 116, the radiused portion 188 tangentially blends with a fullportion 190 of an engaging side of the latch tab 180.

The inner surface of the full portion 190 of the engaging side may bepositioned a distance, defined by a dimension L3, away from the outerside 182 of the latch tab 180. The dimension L3 may be 0.95 millimeteror about 0.95 millimeter in the depicted embodiment. In otherembodiments, the dimension L3 may be 0.95±0.4 millimeter. In still otherembodiments, the dimension L3 may have other values. The inner surfacesof the full portions 190 of the latch tab 180 may be located away fromeach other by a distance, defined by a dimension L12. The dimension L12may be 8.75 millimeters or about 8.75 millimeters in the depictedembodiment. In other embodiments, the dimension L12 may be 8.75±2millimeters. In still other embodiments, the dimension L12 may haveother values. The inner portions of the full portion 190 of the engagingside of the latch tabs 180 may be revolved about the longitudinal axisA1. As illustrated at FIG. 6, as the inner surface of the full portion190 continues to extend toward the face 116, the inner surface of thefull portion 190 tangentially blends with a radiused portion 192 thatturns outwardly away from the longitudinal axis A1. The radiused portion192 blends tangentially with a ramp 172.

As depicted, the ramp 172 extends on both sides of the face 116. Theramp 172 forms a transition portion or a part of a transition portionbetween the latch tab 180 and a latch recess 170. The ramp 172 may berevolved around the longitudinal axis A1. As the ramp 172 extends awayfrom the face 116 and outwardly away from the longitudinal axis A1, theramp 172 tangentially blends with a radiused portion 178. The radiusedportion 178 may be revolved about the longitudinal axis A1. As theradiused portion 178 continues and extends away from the face 116, theradiused portion 178 tangentially blends with a full portion 174 of thelatch recess 170. The full portion 174 may be revolved about thelongitudinal axis A1.

As illustrated at FIG. 5, the pair of full portions 174 of the pair oflatch recesses 170 may be located away from each other by a distance,defined by a dimension L13. The dimension L13 may be 9.75 millimeters orabout 9.75 millimeters in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments,the dimension L13 may be 9.75±2 millimeters. In still other embodiments,the dimension L13 may have other values. As the full portion 174continues away from the face 116, the full portion 174 tangentiallyblends with a radiused portion 179. The radiused portion 179 may berevolved about the longitudinal axis A1. As the radiused portion 179continues and extends away from the face 116, the radiused portion 179tangentially blends with a ramp 176 that extends inwardly toward thelongitudinal axis A1 as the ramp 176 extends away from the face 116. Theramp 176 may be revolved about the longitudinal axis A1.

Turing again to FIG. 6, a ramp zone of the latch tab 180 may be definedby a distance with a dimension L4. The dimension L4 may be 0.65millimeter or about 0.65 millimeter in the depicted embodiment. In otherembodiments, the dimension L4 may be 0.65±0.3 millimeter. In still otherembodiments, the dimension L4 may have other values. The dimension L4extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A1. A tab zone of the latchtab 180 may be defined by a distance that extends a dimension L5parallel to the longitudinal axis A1. The dimension L5 may be 0.85millimeter or about 0.85 millimeter in the depicted embodiment. In otherembodiments, the dimension L5 may be 0.85±0.3 millimeter. In still otherembodiments, the dimension L5 may have other values. The latch tab 180may be referred to as a snap. A full zone of the latch recess 170 mayextend a distance defined by a dimension L6 away from the sealing face116 located within an interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100. Thedimension L6 may be 1.25 millimeter or about 1.25 millimeter in thedepicted embodiment. In other embodiments, the dimension L6 may be1.25±0.5 millimeter. In still other embodiments, the dimension L6 mayhave other values.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the extent (i.e., a width) of the opposinglatches 150 in a transverse direction D3 (see FIG. 4) will be described.As shown at FIG. 4, the transverse direction D3 extends parallel to thetransverse axis A3. The opposing latches 150 each extend between a pairof opposing sides 194. As depicted, the opposing sides 194 may eachdefine an outer portion of the flanges of the C-structure 160. The twoopposite sides 194 of each of the opposing latches 150 may respectivelylie in two planes that intersect the longitudinal axis A1. Additionalfillets and/or transitions 196 may be included to blend various portionsof features of the opposing latches 150 to adjacent features. Thefillets and/or transitions 196 may further blend features of theopposing latches 150 with the walls 122, 126.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 5, 7, and 8, longitudinal ribs 210 extend from afirst end 212 to a second end 214. As depicted, the longitudinal ribs210 are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A1.The longitudinal ribs 210 are defined on interior surfaces of theopposing third and fourth walls 128. The first end 212 of thelongitudinal ribs 210 may extend to the end wall 122. The second end 214of the longitudinal ribs 210 may extend to the face 116. A ramp 216 maybe at the second end 214 of the longitudinal rib 210 and therebytransition the longitudinal rib 210 to the face 116. Each of theopposing third and fourth walls 128 may include a pair of thelongitudinal ribs 210, spaced apart from each other. A channel 220 maybe formed between each of the pair of the longitudinal ribs 210. One ofthe channels 220 may hold a single key 336 of a fiber optic connector,further described hereinafter, at a time. By having two oppositechannels 220, the dust cap 100 may be reversible (i.e., installable intwo orientations on the keyed fiber optic connector).

The exterior portion 112 may define an exterior perimeter 242 of thedust cap 100. The exterior perimeter 242 may collectively includeexterior features that define an exterior envelope of the dust cap 100.For example, features associated with the dimensions Ø1, L9, L10, α, β,and L1 may collectively define the exterior perimeter 242, among otherdimensions and/or features.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a prior art fiber optic connector and cableassembly 250 will be described. As depicted at FIG. 9, the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly 250 is fitted with a dust cap 510 that isassembled on an end portion of the fiber optic connector and cableassembly 250. As is known in the art, the dust cap 510 may rely onfriction to keep from falling off of the end portion of the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly 250, and no latches or catches are used toretain the dust cap 510 on the end portion of the fiber optic connectorand cable assembly 250. A prior art connector and cable assembly withdust cap 500 is defined as the assembly of the dust cap 510 onto thefiber optic connector and cable assembly 250.

The fiber optic connector and cable assembly 250 includes aconnectorized end 252. A fiber optic cable 260 includes at least oneoptical fiber 262. The optical fiber 262 may be surrounded by a buffertube 264. A jacket 268 may cover the optical fiber 262 and/or the buffertube 264. At least one strength member 266 may further be covered by thejacket 268. The cable 260 extends to the connectorized end 252 of thefiber optic connector and cable assembly 250. An opposite end of thecable 260 may be additionally connectorized at an opposite connectorizedend. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly 250 may be an MPOpatch-cord. The connectorized end 252 includes a prior art fiber opticconnector 300. As depicted, the fiber optic connector 300 may be an MPOconnector.

The fiber optic connector 300 extends between a first end 302 and asecond end 304 (see FIGS. 9 and 15). The fiber optic connector 300 mayextend between opposite first and second sides 306. The fiber opticconnector 300 may further extend between opposite third and fourth sides308. The opposite third and fourth sides 308 may include a keyed side308A and an unkeyed side 308B. As further illustrated at FIG. 15, thefiber optic connector 300 includes a ferrule 310. The ferrule 310includes a plurality of fiber passages 312 that terminate at fiberpassage end positions 314. The ferrule 310 further includes a pair ofpin holes 316. In certain embodiments, the pair of pin holes 316 eachinclude a pair of pins 318 and thereby define a male fiber opticconnector 300. In other embodiments, the pair of pin holes 316 may notinclude the pair of pins 318 and thereby define a female fiber opticconnector 300. In still other embodiments, the pair of pin holes 316 mayinclude a pin 318 in one of the pin holes 316 and no pin in another ofthe pin holes 316.

The fiber optic connector 300 includes a connector body 320. Theconnector body 320 extends between a first end 322 and a second end 324.The connector body 320 may further extend between opposite first andsecond sides 326. The connector body 320 may further extend betweenopposite third and fourth sides 328. The connector body 320 may define alongitudinal axis A4. The opposite first and second sides 326 of theconnector body 320 may revolve about the longitudinal axis A4. The pairof opposed third and fourth sides 328 may include a keyed side 328A andan unkeyed side 328B. The keyed side 328A corresponds with the keyedside 308A of the fiber optic connector 300, and the unkeyed side 328Bcorresponds with the unkeyed side 308B of the fiber optic connector 300.The connector body 320 further includes a slide 330 and a flange 332(e.g., a slide stop). The connector body 320 includes a central passage334 that may enclose the ferrule 310. The connector body 320 may includethe key 336 on the keyed side 328A. The connector body 320 includes apair of spring pockets 340. Each of the pair of the spring pockets 340includes a first end 342 and a second end 344.

The connector body 320 includes a pair of opposed catches 350. The latchrecesses 170 and the latch tabs 180 of the opposing latches 150 of thedust cap 100, mentioned above, are complimentary to the opposed catches350 of the connector body 320 of the fiber optic connector 300. Theopposed catches 350 each include a catch recess 370 and a catch tab 380.As illustrated at FIGS. 15-18, a ramp 372 may extend between the catchtab 380 and the catch recess 370. The connector body 320 may include achamfer 392 at the first end 322 of the connector body 320. The chamfer392 may transition to a channel 390 of the connector body 320. Thechannel 390 extends from the chamfer 392 to a ramp 386. The ramp 386 isformed on the catch tab 380. The catch tab 380 may be termed a catchrib, etc. The channel 390 is formed between a pair of channel sides 394.

The fiber optic connector 300 further includes a sleeve 400. The sleeve400 may be termed an MPO connector outer sleeve. The sleeve 400 extendsbetween a first end 402 and a second end 404, as depicted at FIGS.15-18. The sleeve 400 may extend between opposite first and second sides406. The opposite first and second sides 406 of the sleeve 400 may berevolved about the longitudinal axis A4 of the fiber optic connector300. The sleeve 400 may further extend between opposite third and fourthsides 408. Pulling grips 410 may be defined on the pair of oppositefirst and second sides 406. The sleeve 400 may further include a flange412. The flange 412 may serve as a slide stop and/or a finger grip. Thesleeve 400 may further include an interior slide 414 (see FIGS. 12 and17). The sleeve 400 may include an interior 416 that defines the slide414. The interior 416 may further define a latch capturing surface 418and a pair of channels 420. As illustrated at FIG. 15, the interior 416of the sleeve 400 may include a flange 422 (i.e., a spring engagingflange). The flange 422 may include an axial spring engaging surface424. The interior 416 of the sleeve 400 may further include lateralspring retaining surfaces 426.

Turning again to FIG. 9 and FIG. 45, the fiber optic connector 300 mayinclude a spring push 430. The spring push 430 may serve as a springpush for a ferrule biasing spring 470. The spring push 430 may furtherfunction as a cable anchor 430 that joins the fiber optic cable 260 tothe connector body 320 of the fiber optic connector 300. In particular,the strength members 266 may be crimped about a crimping anvil 438 ofthe spring push 430 and thereby be secured to the spring push 430. Thespring push 430 includes a connector attaching end 432 that attaches tothe connector body 320 and a cable attaching end 434 that attaches tothe fiber optic cable 260. The spring push 430 may further define aflange 436 that abuts the second end 324 of the connector body 320. Thefiber optic connector 300 may further include a boot 440 (i.e., a cablestrain relief). The boot 440 extends between a first end 442 and asecond end 444.

Turning again to FIG. 15 and FIGS. 46 and 47, the fiber optic connector300 further includes a pair of sleeve springs 450. The sleeve springs450 extend between a first end 452 and a second end 454 and define aradial circumference 456. As depicted at FIGS. 15, 47, and 49, the pairof sleeve springs 450 are mounted within the pair of spring pockets 340of the connector body 320. The sleeve springs 450 may extend between thefirst end 342 and the second end 344 of the spring pockets 340 and maybe preloaded when mounted within the pair of spring pockets 340.

As depicted at FIGS. 47 and 49, the sleeve springs 450 extend a variablelength L14. FIG. 47 illustrates the length L14 of the sleeve springs 450at a resting length L14 r. As depicted, at the resting length L14 r, thesleeve springs 450 extend between the first end 342 and the second end344 of the spring pockets 340 and may be preloaded by the spring pockets340, respectively. FIG. 49 illustrates the length L14 of the sleevesprings 450 at a compressed length L14 c. As depicted, at the compressedlength L14 c, the sleeve springs 450 extend between the axial springengaging surface 424 of the flange 422 of the sleeve 400 and the secondend 344 of the spring pockets 340, respectively. As depicted at FIGS. 15and 47, the axial spring engaging surfaces 424 may also engage the firstends 452 of the sleeve springs 450 when the sleeve springs 450 are atthe resting length L14 r. The lateral spring engaging surfaces 426 maykeep the sleeve springs 450 within the pair of spring pockets 340 byengaging the radial circumference 456 of the sleeve spring 450.

The sleeve 400 slides on the connector body 320. In particular, theinterior slide 414 of the sleeve 400 slides on the slide 330 of theconnector body 320 parallel to the longitudinal axis A4. A variabledimension L15 (see FIGS. 47 and 49) may be used to characterize thevariable position of the sleeve 400 as it slides on the connector body320. At FIG. 47, the dimension L15 is at a resting dimension L15 r, thesleeve 400 is at a resting position, and the sleeve springs 450 are atthe resting length L14 r. At FIG. 49, the dimension L15 is at acompressed dimension L15 c, the sleeve 400 is at a preloaded position,and the sleeve springs 450 are at a compressed length L14 c. Furthermovement of the sleeve 400 in the sleeve release direction D7 furtherlengthens the dimension L15 and moves the sleeve 400 toward a releasingposition, further described below.

Upon assembly of the sleeve 400 and the pair of sleeve springs 450 ontothe connector body 320, the sleeve 400 is urged to the resting position(a capturing position, a latched position, a distal position, a catchrecess opening position, etc.), as shown at FIGS. 15 and 47. Inparticular, as the pair of sleeve springs 450 are constrained within thepair of spring pockets 340 and between the first end 342 and the secondend 344 of the spring pockets 340 (at the resting length L14 r), thepair of sleeve springs 450 do not bias the sleeve 400 when the sleeve400 is at the resting position. However, when the sleeve 400 is movedalong the direction D7 (see FIG. 15), to, toward, or beyond the positionillustrated at FIG. 49, the axial spring engaging surface 424 of thesleeve 400 compresses the sleeve spring 450 and the sleeve 400 is biasedopposite the direction D7. As illustrated at FIGS. 10, 16-18, 46, and48, the sleeve 400 is limited in movement in the direction D7 by theflange 412 of the sleeve 400 abutting the flange 332 of the connectorbody 320. When the sleeve 400 is at or near the resting position, thelatch capturing surfaces 418 and the catch recess 370 form a latchingpocket 460 on each of the opposite sides 306 of the fiber opticconnector 300.

Turning again to FIG. 9 and to FIGS. 31 and 32, the dust cap 510 will befurther described. As illustrated, the dust cap 510 may take on severalembodiments that are known in the art. The dust cap 510 does not includelatches to connect to the fiber optic connector 300. Instead, aninterior of the dust cap 510 forms a friction fit with an exteriorportion of the connector body 320, as the connector body 320 protrudesfrom the sleeve 400. As the dust cap 510 does not include a positivemechanical connection to the fiber optic connector 300, the dust cap 510is not useful for pulling on the fiber optic connector and cableassembly 250. Furthermore, the dust cap 510 does not include a pullingeye for engaging a pulling member, such as the pulling member 1010.Nonetheless, the dust cap 510, in various configurations, is in wide useto protect the first end 302 of the fiber optic connector and to keepthe fiber optic connector 300 free from contaminants, such as dust, atthe first end 302.

The dust cap 510 defines an exterior perimeter 542. For example, adiametral dimension Ø3 encompasses a radial extent of the dust cap 510.In particular, the dust cap 510 defines a longitudinal axis A5. Thelongitudinal axis A5 is coincident with the longitudinal axis A4 of thefiber optic connector 300 when the dust cap 510 is installed on thefiber optic connector 300. The diametral dimension Ø3 is centered aboutthe longitudinal axis A5. The dust cap 510 may further includeadditional features such as a nose that further defines the exteriorperimeter 542.

As will be further described hereinafter, the exterior perimeter 242 ofthe dust cap 100 may be the same as, similar to, or smaller than theexterior perimeter 542 of the dust cap 510. The dust cap 100 may therebybe used in place of the dust cap 510 without occupying additionalexterior space. The dust cap 100 may thereby fit within variouslocations occupied by the dust cap 510.

Turning now to FIGS. 36 and 37, the prior art dust cap 510 isillustrated with similar or the same features as the dust cap 510 ofFIGS. 31 and 32. FIG. 37 illustrates the dust cap 510 mounted on theprior art fiber optic connector 300 of the prior art fiber opticconnector and cable assembly 250 thereby forming the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly with dust cap 500. The connector body 320and the release sleeve 400 define an exterior perimeter 544 of the fiberoptic connector body 320 and the release sleeve 400 combined. The springpush 430 defines an exterior perimeter 546 of the spring push 430.Collectively taken together, the exterior perimeters 542, 544, 546collectively define an exterior perimeter 540 of the connector and cableassembly with dust cap 500.

Turning now to FIGS. 38 and 39, the dust cap 100 is illustrated at FIG.38 and defines the exterior perimeter 242. As the exterior perimeter 242is the same as, similar to, or smaller than the exterior perimeter 542,the assembly of FIG. 39 may also fit within the exterior perimeter 540.In particular, FIG. 39 illustrates the dust cap 100 assembled to theprior art fiber optic connector 300 of the prior art fiber opticconnector and cable assembly 250 and thereby forms a connector and cableassembly with pulling eye 600. The connector and cable assembly withpulling eye 600 may also include an exterior perimeter 540 that matchesthe exterior perimeter 540 of the connector and cable assembly with dustcap 500 of FIG. 37.

Turning again to FIGS. 10-15 and 46-49, installation of the dust cap 100onto the prior art fiber optic connector 300 will be described indetail. For purposes of illustration, a complete fiber optic connector300 is not shown at FIG. 10-15 or 42-49. Instead, a partial fiber opticconnector 300′ is illustrated in assembling the dust cap 100 to thefiber optic connector 300 at FIGS. 10-15 and 46-49. The partial fiberoptic connector 300′ does not include, for example, the spring push 430,the boot 440, or the fiber optic cable 260. Similarly, FIGS. 16-18 onlyinclude the connector body 320 and the sleeve 400 of the fiber opticconnector 300, for purposes of illustration.

To assemble the dust cap 100 onto the fiber optic connector 300, theopposing latches 150 may be aligned with the channels 390 of theconnector body 320. In particular, the ramps 186 may be positionedagainst the chamfers 392. In addition, the opposite sides 194 of theopposing latches 150 should be aligned within the channel 390 of theconnector body 320. The channel sides 394 may serve as a guide to theopposing sides 194 and thereby guide the dust cap 100 onto the connectorbody 320.

Initially, the latch tabs 180 may need to be spread apart from eachother to occupy the opposing channels 390, respectively. The chamfers392, together with the ramps 186, may serve to spread the latch tabs 180apart from each other as the dust cap 100 is advanced in an installationdirection D4 (see FIG. 5). The latch tabs 180 may occupy a portion ofthe channels 390. Next, the latch recesses 170 may be positioned overportions of the opposing channels 390, respectively, (see FIG. 47).Next, a substantial portion of the inwardly facing surfaces of theopposing latches 150 at the interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100 mayoccupy a substantial portion of the channels 390, respectively. Next,the ramps 186 of the latch tabs 180 may engage the ramps 386 of thecatch tab 380.

Upon further movement of the dust cap 100 in the installation directionD4, the opposing ramps 386 may spread apart the latch tabs 180 in thedirections D5, respectively, and thereby allow the full portion 190 ofthe latch tabs 180 to extend over the catch tab 380. The latch tabs 180are thereby moved to a spread position, a decoupling position, anactuated position, a strained position, etc. At or about the same time,the radius tip 184 of the latch tab 180 may press against the first end402 of the sleeve 400 and thereby move the sleeve in the installationdirection D4. Thus, it is not necessarily required to separately actuatethe sleeve 400. Alternatively, the sleeve 400 may be moved in thedirection D4 separately from the dust cap 100. As the opposing latches150 and, in particular, the latch tabs 180 are spread apart, theopposite first and second walls 126 of the dust cap 100 are deformedthereby allowing the flexibly mounted portions 156 of the opposinglatches 150 to resiliently allow the opposing latch tabs 180 to advanceto the opposing catch recesses 370 of the opposing catches 350. Asillustrated at FIGS. 15 and 49, upon the opposing latch tabs 180reaching the opposing catch recesses 370, the opposing latch tabs 180may return inwardly to a coupling position and occupy the opposing catchrecesses 370. As the latch tabs 180 move inwardly, the sleeve 400 isfree to return to the resting position, as illustrated at FIGS. 15 and49. The pair of sleeve springs 450 may urge the sleeve 400 to return tothe resting position. As the sleeve 400 moves opposite the installationdirection D4, portions of the interior 416 of the sleeve 400 cover atleast portions of the catch recesses 370 and thereby form the pair oflatching pockets 460 and thereby trap the latch tabs 180 within thelatching pockets 460. Upon installation of the dust cap 100 on the fiberoptic connector 300, the dust cap 100 and the fiber optic connector 300are attached together. In particular, upon pulling the installed dustcap 100 opposite the installation direction D4, the pair of opposingramps 172 engage the pair of opposing ramps 372 and thereby urge thelatch tabs 180 to spread apart in the outward directions D5. However,the portions of the interior 416 of the sleeve 400 block the latch tabs180 from spreading apart and thereby lock the dust cap 100 to the fiberoptic connector 300.

As depicted at FIG. 15, the pair of sleeve springs 450 are bottomed outin the spring pockets 340 between the first end 342 and the second end344. Thus, each of the pair of latch tabs 180 are trapped within thelatching pocket 460, but no substantial preload is applied by the firstend 402 of the sleeve 400 against the face 116 of the dust cap 100.

In the embodiment depicted at FIG. 49, the catch tab 380 and/or thelatch tab 180 may be longer along a longitudinal direction D1 (see FIG.5) and thereby cause the pair of sleeve springs 450 to preload the face116 of the dust cap 100 and further preload the ramps 172 against theramps 372. In this preloading embodiment, the sleeve 400 may bepositioned in the sleeve release direction D7 when the dust cap 100 isinstalled onto the fiber optic connector 300. The pair of sleeve springs450 are thereby compressed between the axial spring engaging surfaces424 of the spring engaging flange 422 and the second end 344 of thespring pocket 340. Such preloading may encourage a tight seal betweenthe first end 402 of the sleeve 400 and the sealing face 116 of the dustcap 100.

To remove the dust cap 100 from the fiber optic connector 300, thesleeve 400 is pulled in the sleeve release direction D7 to the releasingposition (i.e., a retracted position, a catch recess opening position, aproximal position, an unlatched position, etc.) thereby furthercompressing the sleeve springs 450. By moving the sleeve 400 in thesleeve release direction D7, the portion of the interior 416 uncoversthe catch recess 370 of the opposing catches 350 of the connector body320 and thereby dismantles the latching pocket 460. With the latchingpocket 460 dismantled, pulling of the dust cap 100 in a directionopposite the installation direction D4 spreads the latch tabs 180 apartin the outward directions D5 and thereby releases the dust cap 100 fromthe fiber optic connector 300. In particular, the pair of opposing ramps172 engage the pair of opposing ramps 372 and thereby urge the latchtabs 180 in the outward directions D5. Upon the latch tabs 180 clearingthe catch tabs 380, the latch tabs 180 resiliently return to theposition illustrated at FIG. 5 (i.e., a relaxed position, an unstrainedposition, etc.). The sleeve 400 may be released and thereby return tothe resting position (see FIGS. 15 and 47), where the pair of sleevesprings 450 are bottomed out at the first and second ends 342, 344 ofthe pair of spring pockets 340. The inwardly facing portions of theC-structure 160 that face the interior portion 110 of the dust cap 100may be further slid along the channel 390 until the dust cap 100 iscompletely removed from the fiber optic connector 300.

Turning now to FIG. 39, the connector and cable assembly with pullingeye 600 is illustrated adjacent a conduit 1000 with a pulling member1010 looped through the pulling interface 118 of the dust cap 100. Thepulling member 1010 is further routed through the conduit 1000. Asdepicted at FIG. 39, the conduit 1000 has an inside cross-dimension Ø2that is close to the encompassing diameter Ø1 of the dust cap 100, asdescribed above. The encompassing diameter Ø1 is at or very close to across-dimension of the fiber optic connector 300. Thus, the dust cap 100is able to pull the fiber optic connector and cable assembly 250 througha conduit 1000 with an inside cross-dimension Ø2 near to or the same asthe cross-dimension of the fiber optic connector 300. Other prior artpulling devices include cross-dimensions substantially larger than thecross-dimension of the fiber optic connector 300 and thereby limit cablerouting conduits to conduits having a sufficiently large cross-dimensionthat can accommodate the larger cross-dimension of the prior art pullingdevice.

The pulling member 1010 may further be routed through the conduit 1000and the pulling member 1010 may be pulled from the opposite end of theconduit 1000 and thereby pull the connector and cable assembly withpulling eye 600 through the conduit 1000.

A tapered shape of the nose 114 of the dust cap 100 may guide theconnector and cable assembly with pulling eye 600 across shoulders andother obstacles without getting caught on the shoulder or obstacle. Thetapered shape of the nose 114 may further nudge certain obstacles out ofthe way as the connector and cable assembly with pulling eye 600 passesthrough the conduit 1000.

Turning now to FIGS. 19-30, a prior art split pulling eye assembly half710 is illustrated. As further illustrated at FIGS. 33-35, two of thepulling eye halves 710 may be assembled together and thereby form apulling assembly 700.

The pulling assembly 700 may extend between a first end 702 and a secondend 704. The pulling assembly 700 includes a cable opening 706 at thesecond end 704. The pulling assembly includes a pulling interface 718 ator near the first end 702. The pulling assembly 700 may includevariations in the pulling interface 718. For example, at FIG. 35, apulling interface 718′ is illustrated that is somewhat smaller than thepulling interface 718 illustrated at FIG. 19. The pulling assembly 700may use two identical pulling eye halves 710 that latch to each other ina removable manner.

Turning again to FIGS. 19-30, the pulling eye half 710 will be describedin detail. The pulling eye half 710 extends between a first end 712 anda second end 714. The pulling eye half 710 includes a cable opening 716at the second end 714. The pulling eye half 710 includes a pullinginterface 718, 718′ at or near the first end 712.

As illustrated at FIG. 22, the pulling eye half 710 includes an interiorperimeter 740. As shown at FIG. 45, clearance 750 may exist betweencertain portions of the interior perimeter 740 and the exteriorperimeter 540. The interior perimeter 740 includes a first interiorperimeter portion 742 that matches or substantially matches the exteriorperimeter 542 of the dust cap 510 (see FIGS. 31 and 32). The interiorperimeter 740 further includes a second portion 744 that matches orsubstantially matches the exterior perimeter 544 of the connector body320 and the release sleeve 400 that are exposed at the fiber opticconnector 300 when assembled to the dust cap 510. The interior perimeter740 further includes a portion 746 that matches or substantially matchesthe spring push 430 of the fiber optic connector 300.

As illustrated at FIG. 40, a first portion of the exterior perimeter 540of the connector and cable assembly with dust cap 500 fits within theinterior perimeter 740 of the pulling eye half 710. As illustrated atFIG. 34, a remaining portion of the exterior perimeter 540 is held bythe second pulling eye half 710 within the interior perimeter 740 of thesecond pulling eye half 710. For the sake of illustration, the pullingassembly 700 is illustrated at FIGS. 40 and 41 as a partial pullingassembly 700′ with one of the pulling eye halves 710 removed. The secondpulling eye half 710 may be installed over the first pulling eye half710 before pulling of the fiber optic connector and cable assembly withdust cap 500 commences. As illustrated at FIGS. 33, 34, and 40, thefiber optic connector and cable assembly with dust cap 500 assembled tothe pulling assembly 700 forms a prior art cable pulling assembly 800. Apulling member, such as the pulling member 1010, may be looped throughthe pulling interface 718, 718′ and the cable pulling assembly 800 maybe routed through various conduits. However, as the cross-dimension ofthe cable pulling assembly 900 is larger than the encompassing diameterØ1, the minimum conduit size may be larger for the cable pullingassembly 800 compared with a minimum sized conduit for the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly with pulling eye 600, illustrated at FIG.39.

As mentioned above, the connector and cable assembly with pulling eye600 fits within the same exterior perimeter 540 as the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly with dust cap 500. Therefore, a cablepulling assembly 900 may be similarly assembled by installing the fiberoptic connector and cable assembly with pulling eye 600 into the pullingassembly 700.

A first portion of a routed path may be threaded with the cable pullingassembly 900. A larger conduit may be required. However, as the cablepulling assembly 700 may bear directly upon the spring push 430 (i.e.,no clearance 750 is between the exterior perimeter 546 of the springpush 430 and the portion 746 of the interior perimeter 740), which iscrimped to strength members 466 of the fiber optic cable 260, the loadcapacity of the cable pulling assembly 900 may be higher than the fiberoptic connector and cable assembly with pulling eye 600. Upon the cablepulling assembly 900 reaching a smaller conduit, or for other reasons,the pulling assembly 700 may be removed from the fiber optic connectorand cable assembly with pulling eye 600. The connector and cableassembly with pulling eye 600 may be further routed along the desiredpath with the pulling member 1010.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustratedembodiments set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dust cap for a fiber optic connector and cableassembly, the dust cap comprising: a cap body adapted to cover aconnectorized end of the fiber optic connector and cable assembly whenthe connectorized end is inserted through an opening of an interior ofthe cap body, the cap body further including an opposing pair ofresilient walls, the opening being positioned at a sealing face of thecap body; and a pair of opposing latches each including latchingfeatures that extend outside of the interior of the cap body, the pairof opposing latches each being continuously joined to and integral witha respective one of the opposing pair of resilient walls along an entireportion of each latch extending from a first end of each latch to thesealing face, wherein mounting portions of each of the pair of opposinglatches includes a C-structure defined by exterior surfaces of the capbody, each C-structure including a channel.
 2. The dust cap of claim 1,wherein the opposing pair of resilient walls each extend between a firstend at an end face of the cap body and a second end adjacent a taperednose of the cap body.
 3. The dust cap of claim 2, wherein the sealingface is adapted to seal with the connectorized end of the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly when the sealing face of the cap body abutsa sealing face of the connectorized end.
 4. The dust cap of claim 3,wherein the sealing face of the connectorized end of the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly is included on a release sleeve of theconnectorized end.
 5. The dust cap of claim 4, wherein the sealing faceof the cap body is positioned with respect to the latching features ofthe pair of opposing latches such that sleeve springs of theconnectorized end of the fiber optic connector and cable assembly arepre-loaded by the sealing face of the cap body when the dust cap isinstalled on the connectorized end.
 6. The dust cap of claim 1, whereinthe mounting portions of the pair of opposing latches are eachpositioned within the interior of the cap body.
 7. The dust cap of claim1, wherein each of the mounting portions of the pair of opposing latchesis stiffer than the respective one of the opposing pair of resilientwalls.
 8. The dust cap of claim 1, wherein each of the latching featuresof the pair of opposing latches includes a latch tab.
 9. The dust cap ofclaim 1, wherein each of the latching features of the pair of opposinglatches includes a latch recess.
 10. The dust cap of claim 1, whereineach of the latching features of the pair of opposing latches includes alatch tab and a latch recess.
 11. The dust cap of claim 1, furthercomprising a pulling interface adapted to attach to a pulling member.12. The dust cap of claim 11, wherein the pulling interface is includedon a tapered nose of the cap body.
 13. The dust cap of claim 12, whereinthe pulling interface is a pulling eye.
 14. A cable pulling system forpulling the fiber optic connector and cable assembly with the dust capof claim 1 installed, the cable pulling system comprising: the dust capadapted to connect to the connectorized end of the fiber optic connectorand cable assembly with the connectorized end inserted through theopening of the interior of the cap body; and a pair of opposing pullinghalves adapted to enclose the dust cap and at least a portion of theconnectorized end of the fiber optic connector and cable assembly. 15.The cable pulling system of claim 14, further comprising the fiber opticconnector and cable assembly connected to the dust cap at theconnectorized end.
 16. The dust cap of claim 1, wherein each of theopposing latches is formed within the respective one of the opposingpair of resilient walls along the entire portion of each latch extendingfrom the first end of each latch to the sealing face.